Armed forces pensions

A world class pension scheme for your military service

When a member of the armed forces reaches their retirement age, they receive one of the most generous pensions available in the UK. This fairly reflects the unique sacrifice they have provided their country throughout their career.

All members of the armed forces are automatically enrolled into the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. Unlike all other public schemes, members pay 0% in contributions each month. The scheme is unfunded and paid from the public purse.

Deferred and Preserved Pension Entitlement

A Guide to Deferred and Preserved Pension Entitlement

• A Guide to Deferred and Preserved Pension Entitlement (PDF, 327 KB, 9 pages)

• A Guide to Deferred and Preserved Pension Entitlement (ODT, 17.4 KB) (accessible)

2015 scheme

Guidance relating to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015.

• The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015: Your Pension Scheme Explained (PDF, 612 KB, 34 pages)
• The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015: Your Pension Scheme Explained (accessible) (ODT, 410 KB)
• JSP 905 Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 and Early Departure Payments Scheme 2015
• The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015: Added Pension Explained (PDF, 306 KB, 13 pages)

2005 scheme

Guidance and documents relating to Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005.

• AFPS 2005: your pension scheme explained

• JSP 764 explains the AFPS 05

1975 scheme

Guidance and documents relating to the Armed Forces Pension scheme 1975.

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (JSP 854)

• AFPS 1975: your pension scheme explained

• Pension Codes: the amounts of service retired pay and pensions, service invaliding retired pay and pensions, service attributable retired pay and pensions, gratuities and resettlement grants are shown in the pension code. The pension code is revised annually.

• AFPS 75 Commutation

Reserve service pension schemes

Guidance and documents relating to the reserve schemes.

• Reserve Forces pension scheme 2005

Scheme valuations

• Actuarial valuation of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes 2020

Legislation

Legislation related to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

• Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 2005: regulations and guidance

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 regulations

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 Order: Statutory Instrument 2005/438

• The Armed Forces Early Departure Payments Scheme Order 2005: Statutory Instrument 2005/437

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2006 Order: Statutory Instrument 2006/717

• The Armed Forces Pension Scheme etc. (Amendment) Order 2009: Statutory Instrument 2009/544

• The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (Amendment) Order 2011: Statutory Instrument 2011/1364

• The Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 2006, the Armed Forces Redundancy Etc. Schemes 2010 and the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (Amendment) Order 2011: Statutory Instrument 2011/3013

• The Armed Forces (Transitional Provisions) Pensions Regulations 2015: Statutory Instrument 2014/2958

• The Armed Forces Pension Schemes and Early Departure Payments Schemes (Amendments Relating to Flexible Working and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018: Statutory Instrument 2018/1111

• The Armed Forces Early Departure Payments Scheme Regulations Statutory Instrument 2014 (PDF, 95.2 KB, 13 pages)

• The Armed Forces (Transitional Provisions) Pensions Regulations 2015: Statutory Instrument 2015/568

• The Armed Forces Pension 2015 Regulations Statutory Instrument Order 2014

• The Armed Forces Early Departure Payments Scheme Regulations 2014

• The Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023

The Victoria Cross and George Cross

• MOD to continue to pay annuities to members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross

Gurkha Pension Scheme

Guidance and documents relating to the Gurkha pension scheme.

• The Gurkha Pension Scheme: Your benefits explained (booklet) (PDF, 1.98 MB, 40 pages)
• Gurkha Pensions: What scheme are you in? (English) (PDF, 577 KB, 2 pages)
• Gurkha Pensions: What scheme are you in? (Nepalese) (PDF, 619 KB, 2 pages)
• Differences between the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS) and the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) (English) (PDF, 373 KB, 2 pages)
• Differences between the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS) and the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) (Nepalese) (PDF, 428 KB, 2 pages)
• The Indian Central Pay Commission and the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) - factsheet (English) (PDF, 287 KB, 6 pages)
• The Indian Central Pay Commission and the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) - factsheet (Nepalese) (PDF, 332 KB, 6 pages)

Gurkha Pension Manual

• Gurkha pension manual: introduction (PDF, 31.1 KB, 4 pages)
• Gurkha pension manual: contents (PDF, 22.5 KB, 4 pages)
• Chapter 1: Gurkha service pensions (PDF, 73.7 KB, 14 pages)
• Chapter 2: rules and procedures for commutation (PDF, 105 KB, 13 pages)
• Chapter 3: disability pensions (PDF, 79.6 KB, 11 pages)
• Chapter 4: Gurkha family pensions (PDF, 83 KB, 16 pages)
• Chapter 5: monetary allowances for gallantry awards (PDF, 38 KB, 5 pages)
• Chapter 6: administration of British Gurkha pensions responsibilities and casework (PDF, 12 KB, 2 pages)
• Chapter 7: uncollected pensions (PDF, 13.3 KB, 2 pages)
• Chapter 8: pensioner in prison or found not guilty of misconduct (PDF, 15.4 KB, 2 pages)
• Chapter 9: internal dispute resolution procedures (PDF, 9.92 KB, 1 page)
• Chapter 10: gratuities (PDF, 41.6 KB, 8 pages)

Children’s pensions/allowances

Guidance and documents relating to children’s pensions and allowances.

• Children’s Pensions & Allowances (PDF, 402 KB, 22 pages)
• Children's Pension and Allowances - Accessible Version (ODT, 251 KB)

Divorce

Pension sharing rules of the Armed Forces Pension schemes and Reserve Forces Pension schemes.

• Pensions on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership charging regime (PDF, 71.1 KB, 8 pages)

• Pension benefits on divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships (MMP 131) (PDF, 551 KB, 42 pages)

• 2015 Pension Remedy - Divorce Information Note (PDF, 264 KB, 8 pages)

Pension Savings Tax

• HMRC annual allowance calculator
• Armed Forces Pension Scheme Pension Savings Tax Booklet - AFPS members’ guide to Pension Savings Tax Annual Allowance (AA) and 2015 Pension Remedy Retrospective Adjustment (PDF, 1.4 MB, 56 pages)
• AFPS members’ guide to Lump Sum Allowance and Lump Sum Death Benefit Allowance (PDF, 291 KB, 11 pages)
• Calculate your public service pension adjustment
• How to calculate your public service pension adjustment (HMRC video)
• HMRC Frequently Asked Questions – Self Assessment Returns 23/24 and delayed Pension Savings Statements (PDF, 140 KB, 2 pages)
• Delays to Pensions Savings Statements for Tax Year 23-24 (PDF, 66.1 KB, 1 page)
• A guide to R-PSS statements (PDF, 823 KB, 14 pages)
• Pension Savings Tax Annual Allowance 2024/2025 Booklet (PDF, 616 KB, 19 pages)
• Pension Savings Statement 2024/2025 step-by-step guide (PDF, 2.1 MB, 45 pages)

Please also note that a new pension tax site has been launched through the MOD’s intranet site that provides further guidance and other useful information.

Calculate your public service pension adjustment - Use this service to correct your tax position if you have been affected by the public service pensions remedy (also known as McCloud).

Ill Health Tier Assessment Fact Sheet

Useful information regarding the different Tier assessments given by the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme Tier Awards Factsheet (ODT, 25.9 KB)

Armed Forces Pension Scheme Tier Awards Factsheet (PDF, 138 KB, 5 pages)

2015 Pension Remedy

Useful information regarding the different Tier assessments given by the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

• RSS FAQs for Active and Deferred Members (PDF, 165 KB, 4 pages)
• Remediable Service Statement (RSS) User Guide - immediate choice (PDF, 643 KB, 28 pages)
• Remediable Service Statement (RSS) User Guide - deferred choice (PDF, 1.16 MB, 47 pages)
• Consultation 6 March 2023 to 29 May 2023 - ‘Armed Forces Pension Scheme: Retrospective Remedy’
• Your 2015 Pension Remedy, Explained – booklet (PDF, 2.81 MB, 75 pages)
• Retrospective Remedy FAQs (PDF, 207 KB, 9 pages)
• 2015 Remedy Tax Booklet (PDF, 230 KB, 14 pages)
• Armed Forces Pension Scheme: Future pension provision from 1 April 2022
• Member Voluntary Contributions (MVC) Factsheet (PDF, 594 KB, 20 pages)
• Remediable Service Statement (RSS) - delivery update (PDF, 78.484.9 KB, 2 pages)
• Medical Officer and Dental Officer (MODO) Bonus – FAQs (PDF, 123 KB, 2 pages)

Armed Forces Payment Scheme - Adjustments to Pensions Due to Guaranteed Minimum Payment - December 2021

Guidance relating to adjustments to pensions.

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme - Adjustments to Pensions Due to Guaranteed Minimum Payment - December 2021 (ODT, 8.38 KB)

Re-employment

Guidance and documents relating to re-employment.

Armed Forces and Reserve Pension Schemes: Re-employment (PDF, 345 KB, 17 pages)

Transfers in and out of the schemes

If you have built up pension benefits elsewhere before joining the armed forces you have the option to transfer in the value of your other benefits to receive a service credit in your Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

Before you apply to DBS Veterans UK for a transfer in, you need to obtain details of the amount of your transfer value from your previous pension scheme, and then an estimate from DBS Veterans UK of the additional pension that this will buy. If you decide to go ahead with the transfer, you should make your application to DBS Veterans UK in writing.

You must be serving in the armed forces to be eligible to transfer in and once you have committed yourself to a transfer from your previous pension scheme, you cannot change your mind and you will have given up forever your rights and those of your dependants under the previous schemes.

Transfers into AFPS 15 must be completed within one year of joining the scheme. For members who remain solely in AFPS 75 and AFPS 05 who may still make transfers in from a non-public service scheme. AFSP 75 the transfer in must be made before your 54 birthday and in AFPS 05 the transfer in must be made before the beginning of your final year of service before your pension is due.

If you leave without receiving immediate pension benefits (including leaving with an Early Departure Payment (EDP) under AFPS 15 or AFPS 05) you have the option to transfer the value of your deferred pension benefits to other defined benefit schemes. A pension in payment cannot be transferred.

However, the government has prevented transfers from unfunded public service defined benefit schemes (such as the AFPS to funded defined contribution schemes in UK or abroad. The Pension Schemes Act 2015 and the Taxation of Pensions Act 2014 made this rule. Application for pension transfers should be made to:

Resettlement Grant

Resettlement Grants assist those leaving the regular armed forces to resettle into civilian life after completing a substantial period of service. A Resettlement Grant is not a pension.

It is a tax-free lump sum paid to regular service personnel, who, at the time they leave the services, are not eligible for Early Departure Payment benefits, an Immediate Pension or ill health award (or any other immediate pension benefits) and they meet Resettlement Grant qualification criteria, which are:

• AFPS 2015 and AFPS 2005: all personnel need to have 12 years’ relevant service (from date of entry)

• AFPS 1975: Officers to have at least 2 years’ Commissioned service and have 9 relevant years of reckonable service from age 21

• AFPS 1975: other ranks to have 12 relevant years of reckonable service from age 18.

The value of the Resettlement Grant at April 2025 is:

• AFPS 2005 and AFPS 2015: £14,059
• AFPS 1975: £20,397 (Officer) and £14,058 (Other Rank)

Please see the latest tri-service codes published each year on gov.uk.

The Resettlement Grant is increased each year at the same rate as armed forces pensionable pay.

Only 1 resettlement grant is awarded, for those who have service in more than one scheme. If personnel are re-employed after leaving they may have to re-pay some or all of the grant. See the re-employment booklet for more details.

Armed Forces Pension Calculator

The Armed Forces Pension Calculator (AFPC) includes a projection of benefits from the Armed Forces Pension Schemes.

Armed Forces Added Pension Calculator

The Armed Forces Added Pension Calculator provides an illustration of the figures you would receive from an added pension.

You will still need to submit Added pension quotation application (AFPS 15) (Form 6) for a quote, and Added pension purchase / cancellation (AFPS15) (Form 6A) to enter an added pension contract. Speak to an independent financial adviser if you need advice before making the decision.

Governance Armed Forces Pension Board

The Pension Board is responsible for assisting the Secretary of State for Defence, as Scheme Manager, in ensuring compliance with the scheme regulations and other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the scheme and any statutory pension scheme that is connected with it.

Veterans UK forms

If you have been advised that you need to complete a form or view a detailed pension scheme guide, you can find these on the Veterans UK pensions forms page.

Armed Forces Pension Schemes consolidated factor guidance

The GAD factor guidance hub contains details on the actuarial factors provided by the Government Actuary Department to the MOD in respect of Armed Forces Pension Schemes and guidance notes related to those factors.

Any queries related to the calculation of pension benefits should be directed to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and not the Government Actuary Department.

Gibraltar Pension Scheme

The Gibraltar Regiment Act 1998 - Royal Gibraltar Regiment (Pension Arrangements) Notice 2022 (ODT, 132 KB)

AFPS customer journey maps

Diagrams with guidance to help customers with the AFPS.

These journey maps illustrate the flow of various processes within the scheme, such as Early Payment of Preserved Pension (EPPP) and Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP), so that customers can see the end-to-end process regarding their Armed Forces Pension.

Discretionary Awards Appeal Review (DAAR) (PDF, 396 KB, 1 page)

Discretionary Awards Appeal Review (DAAR) (ODT, 23.3 KB)

Discretionary Awards Review (DAR) (PDF, 398 KB, 1 page)

Discretionary Awards Review (DAR) (ODT, 23.3 KB)

Early Payment of Preserved Pension (EPPP) and Early Payment of Preserved Pension Increases (EPPI) (PDF, 405 KB, 1 page)

Early Payment of Preserved Pension (EPPP) and Early Payment of Preserved Pension Increases (EPPI) (ODT, 23.8 KB)

Ill-Health Tier Award Reviews (PDF, 396 KB, 1 page)

Ill-Health Tier Award Reviews (ODT, 23.5 KB)

Ill-Health Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) (PDF, 396 KB, 1 page)

Ill-Health Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) (ODT, 23.6 KB)

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) (PDF, 396 KB, 1 page)

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) (ODT, 23.2 KB)

Pension forfeiture

Information about pension forfeiture.

Armed Forces Pension Schemes - pension forfeiture policy (PDF, 191 KB, 12 pages)

Armed Forces Pension Schemes - pension forfeiture policy (ODT, 50.7 KB)

What to do when a veteran dies

Find out about support options available when a veteran dies, including guidance on entitlements and bereavement support.

What to do when a veteran dies - GOV.UK

Pension scams

Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG) (PDF, 183 KB, 2 pages)

Contact us

You can use the contact details below for help on your armed forces pension:

Email dbs-pensionshelp@dbspv.mod.uk